In 2022, CultureMap Fort Worth debuted its own edition of the Tastemaker Awards, a culinary celebration that shines a light on top restaurant and bar talent in Tarrant County in various categories, as voted on by peers.
In 2022, CultureMap Fort Worth debuted its own edition of the Tastemaker Awards, a culinary celebration that shines a light on top restaurant and bar talent in Tarrant County in various categories, as voted on by peers. The awards ceremony is back for 2023 and will be held April 27 at The 4 Eleven at 411 S. Main St.
The signature tasting event will feature bites and beverages from the nominees and will be hosted by Fort Worth chef Jon Bonnell. Tickets are now on sale, here. (Note that early bird ticket sales end April 2.)
While we wait for the big party, get to know the nominees. All will be profiled as part of a special editorial series leading up to the event.
Up first, the category of Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year. These places are close and convenient to established residential neighborhoods and offer a feeling of home that keeps regulars coming back over and over again.
Tributary Café
When a restaurant owner chooses to open their restaurant just blocks away from where they live, the investment into the neighborhood is pretty big. That’s the case with Tributary Café on Race Street, whose owners Cindy and Roney Wheeler live in nearby historic Oakhurst. The couple opened the Louisiana-inspired eatery in a renovated 1940s bungalow in 2016. Because the restaurant is an actual house with wooden floors, front porch, and covered patio, the feel is definitely neighborly. Wheeler has an extensive restaurant background (Nonna Tata, Zodiac at Neiman Marcus), and once owned her own place in Waxahachie. She moved back to Fort Worth and wanted to showcase some of her favorite Creole dishes in a then up-and-coming part of the Riverside district. Today she has a slew of regulars who visit for fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, fried oyster po’ boys, and specials like etouffee-topped burgers. Other draws are the weekend live music, Sunday brunch, and happy hour from 2-6 pm Wednesday through Friday.
